Hastings, 5 August 1895 (Giuoco Piano). Round 1. Tarrasch obtains an excellent development and a strong King’s-side attack, but — having written his name at move one — loses count of his moves, exceeds his time under the impression that he had made his thirtieth, and the game is claimed by Mason. Notes by R. Teichmann.

1. 8.Bb5 Entirely against the spirit of the Giuoco Piano; the exchange of the King’s Bishop for the Black Queen’s Knight is itself ill-judged, and besides strengthens the Black centre Pawns.
2. 10.Bg5 Losing another move.
3. 15.Qc1 White’s play is somewhat eccentric and without any set plan. Q to K 2 followed by B to Q 2 appears to be preferable.
4. 17…f5 Black has now an excellent development, and with this move inaugurates a strong attack.
5. 20…Bc8 He prefers this to B to K 3 in order to be able to play P to Q 4 in answer to Kt to K 4, viz.: 21. Kt to K 4, P to Q 4; 22. Kt x P (?), P to Q 5, winning a Piece which would not have been feasible with the Bishop at K 3.
6. 23.Rf1 White has lost much time with his Queen and Rook, which has been used by Black for a very favourable disposition of his forces on the King’s side.
7. 24.c4 This makes the Queen’s Pawn fixed and weak; but it is difficult to suggest a satisfactory line of play for White.
8. 30.Qc3 In this position Dr. Tarrasch, under the impression that he had made his 30th move already, exceeded his time, and the game was claimed by Mason. There can be no doubt that, on the merits of the position, Dr. Tarrasch ought to have won the game. The simplest plan seems to be to double the Rooks on the King’s file, after which White’s position seems quite hopeless; the scope of his Knights being very limited and a defence of the weak Queen’s Pawn in the long run impossible. [Mr. Mason drew his opponent’s attention to his clock more than once, and informed him that he had only made twenty-nine moves; but unfortunately the doctor had written his name at move one, and was sure he had made thirty moves.—Ed.]